Full fashioned hosiery measuring device



July 12, 1955 P. A. MEYTRE FULL FASHIONED HOSIERY MEASURING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10, 1953 P6720? A. Mum 5,

INVENTOR.

BY Ed" .M

ATTORNEYS July 12, 1955 P. A. MEYTRE FULL FASHIONED HOSIERY MEASURING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1953 kwm 81v 42 $2 PR RX mm k fisw 2 S wzwvw m.

ATTORNEYS July 12, 1955 P. A. MEYTRE 2,712,755

FULL FASHIONED HOSIERY MEASURING DEVICE Filed April 10, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet s g B .3 m w MN? I N R Q N E w w o W. m

P575? A. Man?! I I III!!! Em?! I! E==== I'll I Q Q E h i wg July 12, 1955 P. A. MEYTRE 2,712,755

FULL FASHIONED HOSIERY MEASURING DEVICE Filed April 10, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Pym/Mm,

T; 55 I, 5 BY *M ATTORNEYS FULL FASHIQNED HOSIERY DEVICE MEASURING opposed selvages of a stocking blank after it has been seaming and boarding opera- It is an object of this invention to provide a device comprising a table having a first pair of laterally spaced grasping devices including prongs projecting upwardly from the table and on which opposed edges of a stocking blank at one end thereof may be impaled, said table also having a corresponding second pair of spaced grasping devices including prongs disposed adjacent the other end of the table and projecting upwardly therefrom, the table being provided with longitudinally extending transversely spaced slots therein through which tie corresponding second pair of grasping devices project upwardly and on which the other end of the stocking blank is adapted to be impaled.

The table is also provided with suitable graduations adjacent the second pair of grasping devices and the second pair of grasping devices are resiliently urged in a direction away from the first pair of grasping devices so that, upon a stocking blank being mounted on the prongs thereof in the manner described, the second pair of grasping devices will hold the stocking taut at opposed selvages thereof and whereby the lengths of the selvages of the stocking blank may be determined, since any variation in the length of opposed selvages of the stocking blank will be manifested by the graduations on the table which appear adjacent the longitudinally extending slots.

A device of the type described is particularly useful for determining the lengths of the opposed selvages of a stocking blank since, if the selvages are not of substantially the same length, it will be evident to the operator that the knitting machine on which the stocking blank was knitted is not properly adjusted, For example, the usual needle bar of a full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine may not be positioned properly with respect to the sinkers and dividers and which may result in loops or stitches formed adjacent one selvage of a stocking blank being larger than the loops or stitches formed at the other salvage of the stocking blank. There are various other elements of the full-fashioned knitting machine which may not be in proper adjustment with respect to each other and which would produce a stocking blank wherein the opposed selvages thereof vary in length, such elements being well known to those familiar with the art and a further de' scription thereof being deemed unnecessary.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device for measuring opposed selvages of a stocking blank, such as between the heel and the welt thereof, comprising a table having a first pair of stationary sets of upwardly projectifig prongs thereon on which one end of a stocking blank, such as the heel portions thereof, may be mounted with said prongs projecting through the stocking blank, said table having a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending slots therein through which a second pair of transversely spaced sets of prongs project, the second pair of sets of prongs projecting upwardly through h La la-=17 i atentecl July i955 the slots and being adapte to have the other end of the stocking blank, such as the welt portion thereof, mounted thereon with the second pair of sets of prongs projecting upwardly through the stocking blank adjacent opposed selvages thereof.

The lower ends of the second sets of prongs are suitably secured in corresponding movable carriages which have connected to their ends remote from the first pair of sets of prongs a suitable cable which extends away from the first pair of sets of prongs and passes over a corresponding pulley and has a weight member or other means, such as tension springs, connected to the free ends thereof to thus normally urge the second pair of sets of prongs away from the first pair of sets of prongs. The table is also provided with suitable graduations adjacent the corresponding second sets of prongs to thus manifest any variations in the lengths of opposed selvages of the stocking blank.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the type described wherein a suitable reel, pulley or the like is provided for each of the second sets of corresponding second set of prongs towards the first pair of sets of prongs. There is also suitable means provided for locking the reels or pulleys in proper position so as to enable an operator to place the Welt of the stocking blank on the second pair of sets of prongs after which the reels or pulleys may be released to permit the weight or tension means to pull the corresponding second pair of sets of prongs in a direction away from the first pair of sets of prongs to thus pull opposed selvages of the stocking blank in a taut manner.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a device of the type described wherein the table of the device has a third pair of transversely spaced openings therein which are disposed substantially closer to the second pair of sets of prongs than the first pair of sets of prongs and in which a pair of retractable sets of prongs may have vertical movement. Manually operable means are also provided for moving the third pair of sets of prongs from a retracted position to a protruding position relative to the upper surface of the table and vice versa so that the third pair of sets of prongs may be in a retracted position, below the level of the upper surface of the table, during the measuring of opposed selvages of the stocking blank from the heel portions thereof to the welt thereof. On the other hand, the third pair of sets of prongs may be moved to protruding position so the third pair of sets of prongs may penetrate the stocking blank at the juncture of the reenforced portion of the toe of the stocking blank with the foot portion of the stocking blank while the second pair of sets of prongs may project through the heel portions of the stocking blank at opposed selvages thereof to thus determine the lengths of portion of the stocking between the toe and the heel thereof.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an isometric view of the stocking measuring device with parts broken away;

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan View of the stocking measuring device looking at the top of Figure 1 and showing the manner in which it is used for measuring the opposed selvages of that portion of a stocking blank between the heel and welt thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in Figure 2 with parts broken away;

opposed selvages of the i Figure 4 is .a longitudinal vertical sectional view with parts in elevation taken substantially along the line 4 -4 in Figure 2 but showing the lower portions of the legs at the left-hand end of the table broken away and omitting the legs from the right-hand end of the table;

Figure 5 is a transverse fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is another transverse fragmentary vertical sectional view with parts in elevation taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 in Figure 5 and showing one of the longitudinally movable sets of prongs and the manner in which it is supported in detail;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the stocking measuring device but showing only the central portion of Figure 2 and illustrating the manner in which the measuring device is employed in measuring the lengths of the portions of the selvage of a stocking blank which extend between the heel and toe thereof;

Figure 9 is an inverted plan view with parts in section and with other parts broken away and looking substantially along the line 9-9 in Figure 4;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through one of the first stationary sets of prongs and being taken substantially along the line ill-10 in Figure 1 and illustrating the manner in which the prongs are mounted.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 56 broadly designates the table of the stocking blank measuring device and which comprises a table top 51 which is substantially rectangular in shape and which is supported at opposed ends thereof on legs 52, 53, 54 and which are preferably formed of tubular material and the legs 52 and 53 being bridged at their lower ends by a portion 56 while the legs 54 and 55 at the other end of the table 50 are bridged by a portion 57. It will be observed, in Figure 4, that the upper ends of the legs .are. each suitably secured, as by welding, to a bar or plate 68 which is suitably secured, as by screws 61, to

thee lower surface of the table top 51.

The table top 51 has a suitable extension or platform at one end thereof which projects outwardly therefrom and which is provided to accommodate a pad of paper or the like on which the operator of the device may tabulate or list the dimensions of opposed selvages of the stocking, indicated at S in Figures 2 and 8, as the selvages are measured. in a manner to be later described. This platform or extension 65 of the table 51 is suitably secured to the right-hand end of the table top 51, in Figures 1 and 2, by a suitable bracket 66 and screws 67.

The table top 51 is'provided with a first pair of transversely extending and transversely spaced slots or openings 79 and 70 Figures 1 and 2. The table top 11 is also provided with a pair of transversely spaced and longitudinally extending slots or openings 71 and 71, the left-hand ends of which are spaced substantially from the respective slots 70 and 70' and the right-hand ends of which are spaced substantially from the right-hand end of the table top 51 in Figures 1 and 2.

It will be observed, in Figures land 2, that the upper surface of the table top 51 is suitably graduated, as at 72 and 72 adjacent remote side walls of the respective slots 71 and 71. The particular graduations- 72 and 72 shown in Figures 1 and 2 include the numerals from 24 to 42, inclusive, the numeral 24 being spaced twenty-four inches from the center of the transversely extending slots 7d and 70' and the graduation's 72 and 72 being spaced one inch apart from each other. The graduations between the numbered graduations, of course, indicate fractional portions of an inch.

It will be noted that the table top 51 also has a third pair of transversely spaced and transversely extending,

adjacent the left-hand end thereof in iii " in diameter, so as to project Ii. slots or openings 75 and 75 which are preferably spaced closer together than the first pair of transversely extending and transversely spaced slots 70 and 7 0' for purposes to be later described.

The first pair of slots 70 and 70 in the table top 51 have a first pair of stocking blank grasping devices or units 76 and 76 mounted therein, these grasping units 76 and 76 being stationary. The longitudinally extending slots 71 and 71 in the table top 51 have a second pair of stocking blank grasping devices or units 77 and 77 therein, these grasping devices or units 77 and 77 being movable to and fro with respect to the first pair of stocking blank grasping units 76 and 76 as will be later described.

The third pair of slots 75 and 75 in the table top 51 have a third pair of stocking blank grasping devices or units 89 and 30 projecting therethrough and which do not move longitudinally of the table 50 but are adapted to be moved relative to the vertical for purposes to be later described.

The grasping devices 76, 77 and 80 are all of similar construction and the grasping units 76 and 76', 77 and '77 and'SO and 80 are respectively identical. The grasping devices 76, 77 and 80 are shown in the drawings as i being similar to the usual transfer bars associated with a full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine and wherein the prongs or needles project upwardly above the upper surface of the table top 51 and on which the stocking lank S to be measured is adapted to be impaled. However, it is to be understood that various other means may be employed for securing the stocking blanks to the grasping devices without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be observed that the heel pockets of the stocking blank S are adapted to be removably secured to the respective grasping devices 76 and 76'. Referring to Figures 3 and 10, it will be observed that the first pair of grasping devices 76 and 76 are suitably secured on opposed ends of a transversely extending grasping unit support bar 83 which is suitably secured, as by screws 84, to a vertical leg of an angle bar or bracket 85. The horizontal leg of the bracket 85 is suitably secured, as by-screws 86, to the lower surface of the table top 51. Since both of the grasping devices 76 and '76 are identical only the grasping device 76 will be described in detail with like parts of the grasping device 76' bearing the same reference characters with the prime notation added.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 10, it will be observed that the grasping device 76 comprises a plurality of closely spaced vertically disposed needles, prongs or pins 87 which extend downwardly into the respective slots 76 and are then bent rearwardly, or to the left'in Figure 10, and the horizontally bent portion of each of the needles 87 penetrates a clamping block 96 which clanipingly secures the needles 87 against a support block 91, the clamping block 96 being secured to the support block 91 by any suitable means such as a screw 92.v The support block 91 extends downwardly through the slot iii and has an enlarged lower portion 93 which is provided with a transverse groove 94 therein which fits over the bar 83 and to which bar the support block 91 is suitably secured, as by a screw 95.

Since the needles 87 are necessarily relatively small through the loops of the knitted stocking blank S and, also, since the needles 87 are urged in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 10 when a stocking blank is impaled thereon, a suitable reenforcing member 97 is provided which is substantially inverted L-shaped in cross-section and is of substantially the same width as the support block 91. The horizontal leg of this reenforcing member 97 bears against the corresponding surfaces of the needles or prongs 87 and then extends forwardly, or to the right in Figure 10, and the vertical leg extends downwardly through the slot 70 and is suitably secured, as by a screw 100, to the front surface of the support block 91 immediately above the enlarged portion 93 thereof.

Now, as heretofore stated, the heel pockets of the stocking blank S are impaled upon the needles or prongs 87 and 87' of the respective grasping devices 76 and 76' adjacent the selvages of the stocking blank S and with the stocking blank S resting upon the upper surfaces of the corresponding reenforcing members 97 and 97. The stocking blank S is then laid lengthwise of the table top 51, as shown in Figure 2, and is impaled upon a plurality of prongs, pins or needles 102 and 182', which are parts of the grasping devices 77 and 77', at the welt of the stocking blank and adjacent opposed selvages thereof.

The opposed selvages of the stocking blank S are shown as being bowed inwardly towards each other between the points at which they are impaled on the respective grasping devices since, as is well known to those familiar with the art, the selvages of the stocking blank S tend to roll over throughout the length of the stocking blank S immediately after the stocking blank has been knitted and before it is seamed or boarded.

It will be observed in Figure that both of the second or movable grasping devices 77 and 77 are identical and the same reference characters will apply to like parts with the prime notation being added to the parts associated with the grasping device 77'.

It will best be observed in Figure 7 that the needles 102 extend downwardly into the slot 71 and are bent laterally or rearwardly. The rearwardly bent portions of the needles 1132 penetrate a support block 103 and the needles are clampingly secured against the support block 103 by a clamping block 104. The clamping block 194 is secured to the support block 193 by any suitable means such as a screw 105. This screw 195 also penetrates a substantially inverted L-shaped guide or indexing member 106 which extends upwardly and the horizontal leg of which is provided with a slot 1'97 therein which is loosely penetrated by the prongs or needles 102.

It will be observed in Figures 8 and 5 that the horizontal leg of the indexing member 166 is substantially longer than the width of the slot 71 and is pointed at the outer edge thereof, as at 110, to indicate to the operator the distance from this pointed portion 114) of the indexing member 196 to the transverse center of the slots 79 and 79'.

Referring again to Figure 7, it will be observed that the support block 103 of the grasping device 77 is suitably secured, as by a screw 112, to the upper surface of a carriage 113, in the form of an inverted channel bar, having axles 114 and 115 fixed in the down-turned flanges thereof on opposed ends of which respective pairs of wheels 116 and 117 are rotatably mounted.

It will be observed in Figure 9 that a substantially rectangular frame broadly designated at 121), comprising transverse frame members or bars 121 and 122, is suitably secured to the lower surface of the table top 51 by any suitable means such as screws 123 which penetrate the transverse bars 121 and 122. It will be noted that the right-hand transverse bar 122 is spaced substantially from the front or right-hand end of the substantially rectangular frame 120 and the right-hand end of the substantially rectangular frame 120 is defined by a transverse frame member 124. The substantially rectangular frame 120 is preferably of cast material, such as cast iron or aluminum, and opposed ends of the transverse bars 121, 122 and 124 support longitudinally extending and transversely spaced pairs of spaced track members 125 and 126 and 125' and 126 (Figure 9).

It will be noted that the proximate surfaces of the track members 125 and 126 and 125' and 126' are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 127 and 127', respectively, thus causing the track members 125 and 126 and 125 and 126' to be substantially channel-shaped in cross-section. The wheels of the carriage 113 are adapted suitable means are provided for normally urging the carriages 113 and 113 from left to right, in Figures 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9 such as cables 130 and 130 which are suitably connected to the front or right-hand ends of the respective carriages 113 and 113. By referring to Figure 7, it will be observed that the carriage 113 has an end of the cable 130 to the upper surface of the carriage 113, as by a screw 132.

The cable 130 then extends rearwardly and downwardly through the opening 131 and then forwardly and then form of a bolt fixed in the front hers and 126. This bolt 134 also serves to secure the upper end of a vertically disposed tubular guide member 136 to the track members 125 and 126.

The cable passes over and in engagement with the pulley 133 and then extends downwardly into the tubular guide member 136 and has a weight member 137 suitably secured to the lower free end thereof. The weight member is loosely encased by the tubular guide member 136.

The cable 134) is identical to the cable 13! and a description thereof is deemed unnecessary, like parts associated with the cable 130' bearing the same reference characters as the parts associated with the cable 13% with the prime notation added.

it will be observed in Figures 1 and 9 that another tubular guide member 1% is disposed between the tubular guide members 136 and 136', in spaced relation thereto, and this tubular guide member 140 has a suitable weight member 141 loosely mounted therein which is identical to the weight members 137 and 137 fore described. The weight member 141 has the lower or free end of a cable 142 suitably secured thereto the cable extending upwardly and passing over a pulley 143 (Fig. ure 9) which is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 145, shown in the form of a This bolt 145 also serves to secure flange portions at the upper end of the tubular member 140 to the opposed surfaces of the projections 146. The cable 142 passes upwardly over the rearwardly or to the left in Figure 9 and is suitably secured intermediate its ends, as by a screw 147, to a block in which a transverse carriage locking bar 151 is suitably secured intermediate the ends thereof.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be observed that the track members 125, 126, 125' and 126' depend from the lower surfaces of the corresponding frame members 121, 122 and 124 thus providing a space between the lower surface of the table top 51 and the upper surfaces of the longitudinally extending track members 125, 126, Opposed end portions of substantially the same horizontal plane as the medial portions of the support block 103, the clamping block 194 and the vertical edge of the substantially inverted L-shaped indexing member 1436, for purposes to be later described.

The block 150 is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement on a guide bar 153 which is suitably secured to or may be integral with the transverse members 121 and 122 of the frame 120.

, It is evident that opposed end until the operator of the The cable 142 extends rearwardly from the block 151 to which it is secured, and it will be observed in Figure 4 that the rear end thereof is suitably secured to a reel or pulley 156. This pulley 156 is shown in the drawings as being a form of ti-pulley and being provided with an opening 157 therethrough' through which the rear portion of the cable 142. extends and the rear end of the cable 142 being suitably secured, as at 155, to one of the spokes of the V-pulley 156.. The V-pulley 156 is disposed between the vertical legs of an inverted substantially U-shaped bracket 16% which legs are slidably penetrated by a horizontally disposed and transversely extending'shaft 161. T he V-pulley 156 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 161 and the shaft 161 has suitable collars 162 fixedly mounted thereon to prevent endwise movement of the shaft 161, these collars 162 being disposed in sliding engagement with the remote surfaces of the legs of the inverted U-shaped bracket 16%.

It will be observed in Figure 6 that the substantially U-shaped bracket 160 is suitably secured to the lower surface of the table top 51, as by a screw 165, and the table top 51 also has a bracket or plate 166 suitably secured to the lower surface thereof, as by an angle clip 167 and screws 170. l

The plate or bracket 166 extends downwardly from the lower surface of the table top 51 and has the outer portion of the shaft 161 rotatably mounted therein. The shaft 161 extends outwardly beyond the plate 166 and has one end of a hand crank 171 fixedly mounted thereon, handle 172 for manipulating by an operator.

The plate 166 has a slot 175 therein in which a later ally bent portion of a vertically disposed leaf spring member 175 has freedom of movement, this leaf spring member 176 being substantially L-shaped in cross-section and extending upwardly and being suitably secured, as by screws 177, (Figure l) to'the upper portion ofthe plate 166; It is thus seen that the carriage locking bar 151 (Figure 9) is normally urged from left to right by the cable 1 .2'having tr e ment of the bar 151 from left to right is restricted by a suitable stop pin projecting from the outer surface of the plate 166 and which is adapted to be engaged by the hand crank 171.

When an operator desires to impale the welt or the like of a stocking blank upon the prongs or pins 192 and 1&2 projecting from the respective grasping devices 77 and 77, the hand crank 171 is manually rotated in a counter-clockwise direction in Figure 1 thereby rotating the shaft 151 and the V-pulle direction. This will cause the cable 142 to be taken up on the V-pulley 156 and will, in turn, cause the locking bar 151 to move from right to left in Figure 9. portionsthereof will engage the respective grasping devices 77 and 77 to impart movement thereto from right to left in Figures 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 and 9. This will cause the grasping devices 77 and '77 to occupy a position closely adjacent the left-hand ends of the slots 71 and 71'.

Now, as the hand crank 171 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 1, it is seen that the hand crank 171, which is disposed closely adjacent the outer surface of the plate 166, will engage and bias the leaf spring. member 1'76 inwardly until it has moved past the same, at which time, the leaf spring member 176 will tend to move outwardly and the laterally projecting portion thereof will engage the upper surface of the hand crank 171 to prevent the weight member 141 from causing the bar 151 to move from left to right 7 device depresses the lower portion of the leaf spring member 176 to release the hand crank lll thcrefrom.

Upon the hand crank 171 being released in the manner heretofore described, which occurs after the operator has mounted a stocking blank on the grasping devices 76, 7 6' this hand crank 171 being provided with a 7 weight 141 thereon and move- 1S6 therewith in a like 5 8 and 77, 77', the bar 151will then move from right to left in Figure 9 and will cause the hand crank 171 to rotate in a clockwise direction in Figure 1 to cause the locking bar 151 to again assume substantially the position.

shown in Figure 9. Although, the locking bar 131 IS permitted to move to substantially the position shown in Figure 9, it is evident that the grasping units 77 and 77 will be caused to move by the corresponding weight members 137 and 137' only so far as they are permitted to do by the tension in the selvages of the stocking blank S. it is evident that, upon any variation in the length or tension at opposed selvages of the stocking blank S, this will be manifested by the relative position of the pointed portions 111 and of the indexing members 106 and 1636' and the variation in the lengths of the opposed selvages of the stocking blank S will be indicated by the graduations 72 and 72' on the table top 51.

it is also evident that, upon the lengths of the opposed selvages of the stocking blank S being determined, the operator may again rotate the hand crank 171 in a counter-clockwise direction in crank is held in proper position by the leaf spring member 176 in the manner heretofore described. The stocking blank S may then be removed from the prongs of the corresponding grasping devices 76, 76, 77 and 77 and the operation may be repeated in the manner described.

Now, it is sometimes necessary to determine any variation in the lengths of the selvages of that portion of stocking blank between the toe pockets and the heel pocket thereof. Thus, the grasping devices 89 and .80 comprise a plurality of respective pins, prongs or needles and 135 which are mounted in the identical manner in which the pins 87 and 87 which are associated with the espective grasping devices 76 and 76' are mounted and, therefore, a further description thereof is essary except that the lower portions of the grasping'devices St; and 8% (Figure 6) are suitably secured, as by screws 186 and 186', respectively, tions of a transverse vertically movable bar 1911. Opposed ends of the bar 1% are mounted for vertical sliding movement in grooved guide blocks 191 and 191' which extend upwardly and are suitably secured, by any suitable means such as respective screws 192 and 192, to the lower surface of the table top 51.

The opposed end portions of the bar rest upon and are engaged by the upper surfaces of substantially circular cam members or disks 193 and 193 which are eccena trically and fixedly mounted on a transverse camshaft 195. lower ends of the guide members 191 and 131'. The right-hand end of the shaft 195, in Figure 6, extends substantially beyond the guide block 191 and has a hand wheel 196 fixedly mounted thereon which is adapted to be manipulated by an operator for rotating the cams 193 and 193.

When the operator rotates the shaft 195, so as to position the highest points of the cams 193 and 193' in engagement with the bar 196, the upper ends of the prongs and 135' of the respective grasping devices 89 and 3% will project through the openings 75 and 75 and beyond the upper surface of the table top 51 so that the operator may impale.

blank S on the same, substantially as shown in Figure 8.

In order to prevent unintentional rotation of the cam members It is evident that the cams 193 and 193 may be ro- Figure 1 until the hand.

deemed unnecto opposed end por- The cam shaft 195 is rotatably mounted in the.

the heel pockets of the stocking,

9 tatecl so that their upper portions move toward the observer in Figure 6 when it is desired to lower the prongs 185 and 185' of the respective grasping devices 80 and 80 to inoperative position. The bar 190 and the corresponding grasping devices 80 and 80 will then move downwardly by gravity.

Since the measuring device is operated, when measuring the selvages of that portion of the stocking blank between the heel pocket thereof and the toe pocket thereof, in the identical manner in which it is operated for measuring the lengths of the selvages of the portion of the stocking blank S between the heel pocket and the welt thereof, other than the points at which the stocking blanks are mounted on the corresponding grasping devices, a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

It is thus seen that I have provided a device for measuring the lengths of the selvages of a stocking blank and for determining any variation in the tension in the stitches at opposed selvages of the stocking blank, either between the toe pocket and the Welt thereof or between the heel pocket and the toe pocket thereof.

It is evident that the present device may be economically constructed and may easily be moved from one place to another since it is merely necessary to pivot the weight guide members 136, 136 and 140 about the corresponding stub shafts or bolts 134, 134' and 145 so that the tubular guide members assume a position closely adjacent and in parallel relation to the lower surface of the table top 51 and the legs 52 to 55, inclusive, may be quickly removed from the table by removing the screws 61.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A device for measuring the lengths of opposed selvages of a stocking blank and the like comprising a table having a first pair of transversely spaced sets of upstanding prongs, a second pair of transversely spaced sets of prongs spaced a substantial distance from the first pair of sets of prongs, said second pair of sets of prongs being mounted for longitudinal movement upon said table relative to the first sets of prongs and all of said prongs projecting upwardly, means urging each of the sets of prongs of the second pair in a direction away from the first pair of sets of prongs, manually operable means for moving the second pair of sets of prongs towards the first pair of sets of prongs, means for locking the second pair of sets of prongs in a determined position, said table being provided with a plurality of spaced numbered graduations thereon disposed adjacent the corresponding sets of prongs in the second pair of prongs and indicating the distance from the second pair or" prongs to the first pair of sets of prongs, whereby the stocking blank may be impaled at opposed ends thereof upon the respective pairs of sets of prongs with the sets of prongs being disposed adjacent opposed selvages of the stocking blank and, upon the second pair of sets of prongs being released from the means for locking the second pair of sets of prongs in said determined position, the second pair of sets of prongs will be urged in a direction away from the first pair of sets of prongs to pull the stocking blank taut for measuring the same, said table having a pair of longitudinally extending and transversely spaced slots therein through which the corresponding second pair of sets of prongs project, a track member disposed beneath the table top adjacent each of said spaced slots, a carriage slidably mounted in each of said track members and carrying a set of the second pair of sets of prongs, said second pair of sets of prongs having longitudinal movement in said slots, said manually operable means for moving the second pair of sets of prongs toward the first pair of sets prongs and to which the corresponding end of the lastnamed cable is connected, a crank for imparting rotation to the reel and means for locking said crank in a determined position whereby, upon rotation being imparted to the reel in one direction, said cable will cause the corresponding transverse bar to move and to engage said carriages to simultaneously move the second pair or" sets of prongs in a like direction and, upon the reel being rotated a determined distance, the crank may be locked to cause the transverse bar to hold the second pair of sets of prongs in a determined position relative to the first pair of sets of prongs and, upon the crank first pair of sets of prongs and the second pair of sets of prongs will move independently in a direction away from the first pair of sets of prongs.

2. A device for measuring the lengths of opposed selvages of a stocking blank and the like comprising a table having a first pair of transversely spaced sets of upstanding prongs, a second pair of transversely spaced sets of prongs spaced a substantial distance from the first pair of sets of prongs, said second pair of sets of prongs being mounted for longitudinal movement upon said table relative to the first sets of prongs and all of said prongs projecting upwardly, means urging each of the sets of prongs of the second pair in a direction operable means for prongs towards the first pair of sets of prongs, means for locking the second pair of sets of prongs in a determined position and said table being provided with a plurality of numbered graduations thereon disposed adjacent the corresponding sets of prongs in the second pair of prongs and indicating the distance from the second pair of prongs to the first pair of sets of prongs, whereby the stocking blank may be impaled at opposed ends thereof upon the respective pairs of sets of prongs with the sets of prongs being disposed adjacent opposed selvages of the stocking blank and, upon the second pair of sets of prongs being released from the means for mined position, pair of sets of prongs will be urged in a direction awa I from the first pair of sets of prongs to pull the stocking blank taut for measuring the same, a third pair of sets of prongs disposed between the first and second pairs of sets of prongs for accommodating a stocking blank or a portion thereof of substantially less length than the first-named stocking blank, manually operable means for moving the third pair of sets of prongs in the vertical direction, said third pair of sets of prongs normally being disposed at a lower level than the first and second pairs of sets of prongs so as to clear the stocking blank as it is extended between the first and second pairs of sets of prongs and whereby, upon measuring a relatively shorter stocking blank than the first-named stocking blank, the third pair of sets of prongs may be elevated to substantially the same level as the first and second pairs of sets or prongs and the portions of the stocking blank remote from the portions which are impaled upon the second pair of sets of prongs may be impaled upon the third pair of sets of prongs for determining the length of the opposed selvages of that portion of the stocking blank disposed between the third pair of sets of prongs and the second pair of sets of prongs.

3. A measuring device for determining the lengths of of a textile article such as a stocking blank and the like, comprising a table having a planar top, a first pair of grasping devices positioned at one end of said planar top and extending upwardly theretrorn, said planar top having a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced slots therein at the end thereof remote from said first pair of grasping devices, a second pair of grasping devices slidably mounted in said longitudinally extending slots and extending upwardly therethrough, means for moving said second pair of grasping devices toward said first pair of grasping devices to permit one end of a stocking blank to be impaled on the first pair of grasping devices and the other end of the stocking blank to be impaled on the second pair of grasping devices, said planar top having a plurality of spaced graduations thereon adiacent said slots, means normally urging the second pair of grasping devices away from the first pair of grasping devices to pull said blank being measured taut for measuring the same, a third pair of grasping devices adapted to be used like the first pair of grasping devices but spaced between the first and second pairs of grasping devices for measuring shorter lengths of fabric, each of said grasping devices including at least one needle for impaling a stocking blank thereon, said third pair of grasping devices normally being a lower level than. said first and second pairs of grasping devices, and means for raising said third pair to substantially'the same level as the first and second pairs.

4. A measuring device for determining the lengths of opposed selvages of a textile article such as a stocking blank and the like, comprising a table having a planar top, a first pair of grasping devices positioned at one end of said planar top and extending upwardly therefrom, said planar top having a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced slots therein at the end thereof remote from said first pair of grasping devices, a second pair of grasping opposed selvages devices slidably mounted in said longitudinally extending slots and extending upwardly therethrough, means for moving said second pair of grasping devices toward said first pair of grasping devices to permit one end of a stocking blank to be impaled on the first pair of grasping devices and the other end of the stocking blank to he impaled on the second pair of grasp ing devices, said planar top having a plurality of spaced graduations thereon disposed adjacent each of said longitudinally extending slots, means normally urging the second pair of grasping devices away from the first pair of grasping devices to pull said blank being measured taut for measuring the same, said means for moving said second pair of grasping devices toward said first pair of grasping devices comprising a manually operable reel, a transversely extending bar mounted for longitudinal sliding movement adjacent the lower suriace of said planar top, means connecting said manually operable reel with said transversely extending bar, and said transversely extending bar. being adapted to engage said second pair of grasping devices to cause the same to move with the transverse bar upon operation of said reel.

5. A measuring device for determining the lengths of opposed selvages of a textile article such as a stocking blank and the like, comprising a table having a planar top, a first pair of grasping devices positioned at one end of said planar top and extending upwardly therefrom, said planar top having a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced slots therein at the end thereof remote from said first pair of grasping devices, a second pair of grasping devices slidably mounted in said longitudinally extending slots and extending upwardly therethrough, means for moving said second pair of grasping devices toward said first pair of grasping devices to permit one end of a stocking blank to be impaled on the first pair of grasping devices arid the other end of the stocking blank to be impaled on the second pair of grasping devices, said planar top being provided with a row of spaced graduations adjacent each of said slots, means disposed on normally urging the second pair of grasping devices away from the first pair of grasping devices to pull said blank being measured taut for measuring the same, said means for moving said second pair of grasping devices toward said first pair of grasping devices comprising a manually operable reel, a transversely extending bar mounted for longitudinal'sliding movement adjacent the lower surface of said planar top, means connecting said manually operable reel with said transversely extending bar, said transversely extending bar being adapted to engage said second pair of grasping devices to cause the same to move with the transverse bar upon operation of said. reel, and means for normally urging said transverse bar away from said first grasping devices comprising a pulley positioned at the end of said table remote from said first grasping devices, a weight member, and means extending over said pulley and connecting said transverse bar with said weight member.

6. A measuring device for determining the lengths of opposed selvages of a textile article such as a stocking blank and the like, comprising a table having a planar top, a first pair of grasping devices positioned at one end of said planar top and extending upwardly therefrom, said planar top having a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced slots therein at the end thereof remote from said first pair of grasping devices, a second pair of grasping devices slidably mounted in said longitudinally extending slots and extending upwardly therethrough, means for moving said second pair of grasping devices toward said first pair of grasping devices to permit one end of a stocking blank to be impaled on the first pair of grasping devices and the other end of the stocking blank to be impaled on the second pair of grasping devices, said planar top having a plurality of spaced graduations tnereon adjacent said slots, rneans normally urging the second pair of grasping devices away from the first pair of grasping devices to pull said blank being measured taut for measuring the same, a third pair of grasping devices adapted to be used like the first pair of grasping devices but positioned closer to the second pair of grasping devices and spaced between the first and second pairs of grasping devices for measuring shorter lengths of fabric, said third pair of grasping devices being positioned in said planar top and normally positioned below the upper surface of said planar top and means for moving said third pair of grasp ng devices upwardly beyond the upper surface of the planar top.

7. A measuring device for determining the lengths of opposed selvages of a textile article such as a stocking blank and the like, comprising a table having a planar, top, a first pair of grasping devices positioned atone end of said planar top and extending upwardly therefrom, said planar top having a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced slots therein at the end thereof remote from said first pair of grasping devices, a second pair of grasping devices slidably mounted in said longitudinally extending slots and extending upwar ry therethrough, means for moving said second pair of grasping devices toward said first pair of grasping devices'to permit one end of a stocking blank to be impaled on the first pair of grasping devices and the other end of the stocking blank to be impaled on the second pair of grasping devices, said planar top having a plurality of spaced graduations thereon adjacent said slots, means normally urging the second pair of grasping devices away from the first pair of grasping devices to pull said blank being measured taut for measuring the same, a third pair of grasping devices adapted to be used like the first pair of grasping devices but positioned closer to the second pair of grasping devices and spaced between the first and second pairs 'of grasping devices for measuring shorter lengths of fabric, said third pair of grasping devices being postioned in said planar top and normally positioned below the upper surface of said planar top, means for moving said third pair of grasping devices upwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Skutsch Apr. 28, 1931 Gosch Aug. 4, 1931 Staebler May 30, 1933 Hansen et a1. Sept. 25, 1951 Gift Oct. 28, 1952 

